Our Purpose
Who We Are
Team Know Better, Do Better! was started by an educator who worked in a preschool, taught in an elementary school, and served as a reading coach, and a literacy administrator. She understands the tremendous impact that representation can have on the lives of children.
Our mission is to provide access to children's books, literacy resources, and parental support to improve children’s early literacy and self-efficacy.
What We Do
Team Know Better, Do Better! sources and distributes new children's books at no cost to children or their families. These books predominantly feature main characters that represent the lives, families, and communities of black children.
We also provide workshops for parents/guardians to equip them with the skills and tools needed to support their child’s literacy development.
Why We Do It
Studies have shown that increased access to books in the home has a significant impact on children’s reading achievement.
Studies have also shown the critical importance of representation in children’s literature.
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Many education scholars agree that when books serve as mirrors, allowing children to see themselves, their families, and their communities reflected, children feel valued.
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When those same books serve as windows, allowing children to see the similarities and differences they have with other cultures, children feel connected.
-Rudine Sims Bishop
Our vision is to provide books that affirm the varied experiences of children; build at-home libraries, increase children's self-esteem, and nurture life-long readers, one book at a time.
Enabling children to make connections to themselves, mirror books:
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provide validation and affirmation
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tell students that their stories matter
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show students possibilities of who and what they can be
Flores, Osorio, and Colorado (2021)
Our Pillars:
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Early Literacy
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Underserved Populations
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Parent Education
Eight Key Understandings:
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Reading Begins at Birth
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Oral Language is the Foundation of Literacy
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Read-aloud Plus Talking About Text Maximizes Learning
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A Robust Vocabulary Promotes Early Reading and Writing
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Phonemic Awareness, Phonics, Fluency, Vocabulary, and Comprehension Go Hand in Hand
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Reading and Writing Support Each Other
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Early Readers Reap Benefits That Last a Lifetime
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Parent Education is Key in Children’s Literacy Development
When children do not see themselves in the literature they read, or when they encounter negative stereotypes or inaccuracies about their communities in books, they may think that their stories or experiences don't matter.
Flores, Osorio, and Colorado (2021)